It’s a quote attributed to Pericles, and it resonated in the halls at Denver’s South High School on the afternoon of Saturday, Feb. 11: “Just because you don’t take an interest in politics doesn’t mean politics won’t take an interest in you.”

Three months after Democrats were stunned by the results of the presidential election – and just three weeks into the Trump administration – the party’s Denver County central committee turned out in record numbers for its biennial reorganization meeting. And if there was a common message, it was that the stakes were immense, and the party’s organizers, volunteers and officials were eager to get to work.

Former state Rep. Mike Cerbo, who won election that afternoon to a two-year term chairing the Denver County Democratic Party, said he was running for county office “because everything we love, everything that makes our country great, is on the line.”

Morgan Carroll – a former Senate president, former congressional candidate and one of four candidates for state party chair – sounded a congruent note in brisk remarks to the packed auditorium.

“Like you, after we saw the results that came in this last election,” she said, “we realized that everything we’ve fought for the last 100 years is in deep jeopardy, in trouble by the day, by the week, by the month, by the year.”

Longtime activist and organizer Jo Ann Fujioka, who lost her bid for county chair to Cerbo, rallied the Democrats with a similar proposition in her nomination speech.

After bringing members of the crowd to their feet cheering when she asked if they’d attended any of the recent marches and protests, she said, “You are the people that are going to help us preserve our democracy.” A moment later, she added, “We know at this time that there is really great difficulty ahead of us, and we are the ones that are not going to give up on those freedoms.”

Cerbo, who first won election 15 years ago to represent House District 2 – he was reelected twice before stepping down to take over as executive director of the Colorado AFL-CIO, a position he held until two years ago – said the energy at the meeting was nearly unprecedented.

“There is a lot more energy now in the party,” Cerbo told The Colorado Statesman just after learning he’d won the election for county chair. He speculated that the vigorous contest between Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders might have activated some of the Democrats, or perhaps it was one of several contentious primaries in Denver last summer, or maybe, he said, “they’re outraged over the Trump administration. But they’re energized. People have been active.”

Stopping for a moment to take in all the bustling activity in the hallway and lobby outside the auditorium, he shook his head. “We’re going to be strategic, and we’re going to channel that energy.” Nodding, he added, “We’re going to roll up our sleeves; we’re going to organize, we’re going to mobilize, and we’re going to implement.”

And while a certain weariness shadowed some of the most enthusiastic and energetic Democrats – “Can you believe it’s only been three weeks?” more than a few whispered, wide-eyed – another accompanying theme emerged over the course of the afternoon.

“I’ve been in the resistance business for three decades,” Cerbo said from the stage, surrounded by dozens of supporters carrying “I really like Mike” signs. “And this is how we’re gonna resist.” He detailed his plans for the party: networking with activists, including people affiliated with other progressive organizations; launch a field operation this year with an eye toward mobilizing voters next year; and funding an initiative to welcome potential allies regardless of their station in life.

“We change-makers were born in times of crisis,” he thundered, “and this time is no different. Because it was change-makers – the resistance – who showed the world that love is love, black lives matter, and your body is your body. It knows water is life and that we don’t have a Planet B. The resistance says ‘no’ to corporate greed and knows that no human being is illegal – this American dream belongs to all of us.”

Carroll, too, invoked “the resistance,” perhaps with stirring scenes of “Casablanca” in mind, although there are plenty of other, more recent manifestations.

Arguing that Republicans won’t speak up, unaffiliated voters lack any organization and third parties are too small, Carroll said, “So, in my view, the future of our democracy, our Constitution and the free world is hinging on our local, state and national party becoming the party we need – to lead the resistance, to reach out to people who are allied to our progressive values but don’t feel a connection with the Democratic Party.”

One of her fellow state chair candidates, Barbara Jones, the incumbent 2nd vice chair of the state party, said the Democrats needed to reinvigorate their outreach to the grassroots. Even before Donald Trump upended familiar politics, Jones said in her brief speech, she realized that Democrats were leaving behind disenfranchised voters. “We need a different approach, we need a grassroots approach,” she said.

Clear Creek County Commissioner Tim Mauck was the other state chair candidate on hand. Having grown up in Denver before moving west to Idaho Springs, he said he understood the “nuances” between urban, suburban and rural Democrats and could help the party better communicate across the state.

The fourth state chair candidate, Telluride pioneer Scott Brown – not only did he help spur the mountain town’s rebirth in the 1970s, but he helped found the town’s world-famous bluegrass and film festivals – describes himself as a “deal guy.”

In the race for county chair, Cerbo took 57 percent of the vote in the day’s only contested race for county officer. The others – vice chair James Reyes, secretary Russ Johnson and treasurer Ken Hermann – were each elected by acclamation.

Democrats and Republicans alike are meeting at the county level through February to elect officers and bonus members to their respective state central committees, which also include elected officials and other party officials. Democrats meet for their biennial state reorganization Saturday, March 11, at the Denver Marriott City Center, and the party holds its 84th Annual Dinner that night at the same downtown hotel. Republicans meet Saturday, April 1, at Englewood High School for the state GOP’s reorganization.

In addition to state chair, Democrats will elect a 1st vice chair – the rules require that if a woman is elected chair, that office must be held by a man, and vice versa -a 2nd vice chair, a secretary and a treasurer.

Denver-based consultant David Sabados and Larimer County organizer Gil Barela are the announced candidates for 1st vice chair. Candidates for 2nd vice chair include former Otero County Chairman Terrance Hestand, former Democratic National Committeeman Mannie Rodriguez, and former Arapahoe County Chairwoman Patricia Shaver. The state party’s incumbent secretary, Grand Junction attorney Martelle Daniels is seeking a second term unopposed, while Rita Simas and Dr. Kathleen Ricker are the two candidates for treasurer.

Republicans will elect a state chair, a vice chair and a secretary, and the party’s rules don’t require gender balance among officers.

– ernest@coloradostatesman.com